Interactive Media Events

ABSTRACT

An Interactive Media Event (IME) system includes a sync server, a first user device, and a second user device, each device is coupled to the server. The server executes computer instructions instantiating a content segment engine which outputs a Party matter to the second user device and instantiates an IME engine which receives, from the second user device, a later reaction to the Party matter. The IME engine synchronizes the later reaction with the Party matter. The Party matter may include a media event and a prior reaction to the media event received from the first user device. The media event includes a primary content segment and synchronization information associated therewith. The prior reaction and/or the later reaction may be synchronized to the primary content segment and/or to each other using the synchronization information. A reaction may include chat data captured during the Party.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/801,277, filed on 26 Feb. 2020, in the name of inventor NeilMarten, and entitled “Devices, Systems and Processes for FacilitatingWatch Parties” (the “'277 application”), the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/336,416, filed on 2 Jun. 2021, in the name of inventor NeilMarten, entitled “Consolidated Watch Parties,” which is furtheridentified by WPIP docket number P00069.US.01 and by DISH Docket No.P2021-03-22 (herein, the “'416 application”), the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein generally relates to devices, systems,and processes for facilitating interactive media events arising from oneor more watch parties and/or consolidated watch parties.

BACKGROUND

Various devices, systems and processes today enable a person to bepresented with content, such as a football game, television show, videogame, soundtrack, or the like using a presentation device. Such contentmay be presented to a user in a humanly perceptible format, such asvisually, audibly, as vibrations, combinations of the foregoing, orotherwise. Often a first user desires to be presented with such contentat substantially the same time as another, second user. The second usermay be physically located remotely to the first user, such as in anotherbuilding, city, state, country or otherwise. The first user and thesecond user may desire to receive such content and, together participatein the reception of such content, include the sharing of their reactionsto such content with others at substantially the same time as thecontent is presented to the users. While the '277 application and the'416 application describe various approaches for achieving substantiallysimultaneous synchronization of content and/or user reactions theretoduring a watch party, additional approaches for content and userreaction synchronization is needed. Further, a delayed presentation of asynchronization of content and other user reactions thereto during awatch party may provide a more user friendly experience, wherebynon-participating (or view only) users can receive a synchronized andInteractive Presentation of content and user reactions thereto on a timedelayed basis, and without incurring delays due to bandwidth, latency,device and other constraints of one more users attending a watch partydelaying the watch party for other users.

Further, a participant in a watch party may desire to later review oneor more content segments and/or “chat data” (as described in the '277application) after a given watch party or a collection of watch partieshave occurred, while avoiding a review or scrolling through of one ormore portions of the watch party to find segments of interest therein.Consolidated Watch Parties, which are described in the '416 application,can also benefit from the approaches described herein for synchronizingcontent and user reactions after a Watch Party has concluded and/orafter a given delay period has occurred during an on-going Watch Partyor Consolidated Watch Party. The various embodiments of the presentdisclosure address these and other needs.

SUMMARY

Various implementations are described of devices, systems, and processesfor facilitating “Interactive Media Events.”

In accordance with at least one implementation of the present disclosurea system of one or more computers can be configured to performparticular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware,hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that inoperation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One or morecomputer programs can be configured to perform particular operations oractions by virtue of including instructions that, when executed by dataprocessing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. Onegeneral aspect includes an interactive media event (IME). Theinteractive media event may include a sync server; a first user device,and a second user device, where the first user device and second userdevice are communicatively coupled to the sync server. The sync serverexecutes computer instructions instantiating a content segment enginewhich outputs a party matter to a second user device. The sync serverexecutes computer instructions instantiating an IME engine whichreceives, from the second user device, a later reaction to the partymatter. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computersystems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or morecomputer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of themethods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. TheIME engine may synchronize the later reaction with the party matter. Theparty matter may include a media event and a prior reaction to the mediaevent received from the first user device. The media event may include aprimary content segment. The media event may include synchronizationinformation associated with the primary content segment. The priorreaction may be synchronized to the primary content segment using thesynchronization information. The later reaction may be synchronized tothe primary content segment using the synchronization information. Thelater reaction may be synchronized to the prior reaction.

The prior reaction may include chat data captured, during a party, bythe first user device. The chat data may include at least one of afacial response and an audible response, by a first user of the firstuser device, to a primary content presented during the party. The laterreaction may include second chat data captured by the second userdevice. The chat data may include at least one of a facial response andan audible response to at least one of the primary content and the priorreaction.

The party matter may be associated with a consolidated watch party. Theparty matter may include a prior reaction to a segment of primarycontent presented during the consolidated watch party.

The sync server may execute computer instructions instantiating aconsolidation engine which: consolidates the segment of primary contentwith the prior reaction. The party matter may include a primary contentsegment and a prior reaction to the primary content segment. The IMEengine may generate an IME by synchronizing the later reaction with atleast one of the primary content segment and the prior reaction to theprimary content segment. The party matter may include a plurality ofprimary content segments. The sync server may execute computerinstructions instantiating a consolidation engine which selects a givenprimary content segment, from the plurality of primary content segments,based upon a first tag associated with the given primary contentsegment. The consolidation engine may select a prior reaction to aselected given primary content segment and generate the party matterbased on a selected prior reaction. The prior reaction may be taggedwith the first tag.

The later reaction may be tagged with the first tag. The first tag maycorrespond to a matter designation and to a criteria. The matterdesignation may correspond to a criteria that may include at least oneof: most popular, funniest, most viewed, highest rated, best of,scariest, informative, fact verified, and source verified.

The IME engine generates an IME by synchronizing the later reaction withthe selected given primary content segment and the selected priorreaction. The sync server may execute computer instructions furtherinstantiating a consolidation engine to select the party matter from acollection of party matters for use in generating an IME. The partymatter may include a media event and a prior reaction to the media eventreceived from the first user device. The media event may include aprimary content segment provided by a content source. Selection of theparty matter may occur based upon at least one of a first tag associatedwith the primary content segment and a second tag associated with theprior reaction. The first tag may be provided by the content source. Thesync server may execute computer instructions instantiating aconsolidation engine associate the second tag with the prior reactionbased upon information associated with the prior reaction.Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, amethod or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, advantages, functions, modules, and components ofthe devices, systems and processes provided by the variousimplementations of embodiments of the present disclosure are furtherdisclosed herein regarding at least one of the following descriptionsand accompanying drawing figures. In the appended figures, similarcomponents or elements of the same type may have the same referencenumber and may include an additional alphabetic designator, such as 108a-108 n, and the like, wherein the alphabetic designator indicates thatthe components bearing the same reference number, e.g., 108, sharecommon properties and/or characteristics. Further, various views of acomponent may be distinguished by a first reference label followed by adash and a second reference label, wherein the second reference label isused for purposes of this description to designate a view of thecomponent. When the first reference label is used in the specification,the description is applicable to any of the similar components and/orviews having the same first reference number irrespective of anyadditional alphabetic designators or second reference labels, if any.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for facilitatingInteractive Media Events and in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a synchronization server for usein facilitating Interactive Media Events and in accordance with at leastone implementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations of the present disclosure describe devices,systems, and processes for utilizing chat data and content (as definedbelow) presented during a watch party, a consolidated watch party,and/or an interactive consolidated watch party to facilitate InteractiveMedia Events. As used herein, an Interactive Media Event is a timedelayed, non-real-time presentation of a given content and multiple,synchronized reactions by users to such given content. For anInteractive Media Event, reactions by multiple users to a primarycontent may be captured, recorded, synchronized, and then presentedduring a presentation of the primary content. Unlike a watch party,where synchronization of a primary content presentation to multipleusers is provided substantially simultaneously with a first presentationof the primary content, for an Interactive Media Event, users' reactionsto such content and/or to other user's reactions may occurindependently, in time and space, of any other user's reactions, andsuch later reactions maybe presented in a synchronized manner with otherusers' reactions, as if each of the users viewing the primary content orother content, were presented with such content at substantially thesame time.

A reference to “Cloud” includes references to cloud computing, cloudstorage, cloud communications, and/or other technology resources which auser may not actively manage the providing or use of such resources. Ause of a Cloud resource may be private (limited to certain users and/oruses), public (available for many users and/or uses), hybrid, dedicated,non-dedicated, or otherwise. It is to be appreciated that any device orsystem of the various embodiments of the present disclosure may useCloud resources to provide for data processing, storage and otherfunctions.

“Substantially simultaneous” means without incurring a humanlyperceptible delay between a first event or condition, such as apresentation of a primary content (as described below), and a secondevent or condition, such as a presentation of secondary content (asdescribed below), to two or more users using their respective userdevices.

“Separate” means a first user may be physically or virtually separatedfrom one or more second users such that the users are, respectively anduniquely, presented content in a format perceptible by such user. Suchseparation may occur geographically, wherein a first user is in adifferent room, building, city, state, or country than one or moresecond users. The separation may occur virtually, such as when a firstuser perceives the content and/or reaction(s) as presented in a firstformat (such as an audible portion of the football game in a firstlanguage), while a second user perceives the content and/or reactions ina second format (such as the audible portion of the football game beingprovided in a second language).

A “media event” includes a combination of “primary content” and“synchronization information” (as described below) for such primarycontent.

“Content” refers to any information that may be presented, using asuitable presentation device, to a user in a humanly perceptible format.Non-limiting examples, include video, television programs, audioprograms, speeches, concerts, gaming, or otherwise. Content mayoriginate from any source, including live, augmented reality, virtualreality, computer generated, or otherwise. Content may be presented to agiven user using any “user device” (as described below). Content may bepresented to one or more users “real-time” (as described below) orotherwise. Content may be stored, transmitted, processed or otherwisemanipulated in non-humanly perceptible formats that may be converted, byknown and later arising devices, systems and methods, into humanlyperceptible information presented by a suitable presentation device.Current embodiments of such presentation devices are well known anysuitable known or later arising presentation device may be used forcontent presentation to users.

“Synchronization information” includes information useful in identifyinga given point in time relative to a beginning and/or end of a givenprimary content or segment thereof. Non-limiting examples of“synchronization information” include audio/video (“A/V”) framesynchronization data, universal time code data, content based data,metadata associated with a given content, or otherwise.

“Real-time” means as the information and/or data provided in the primarycontent is captured at the time of its first generation and/orpresentation to one or more users. For a non-limiting example, afootball match is captured and presented “real-time” when one or moreusers may view the match, using a presentation device, at substantiallythe same time (while accounting for data processing and transmissiondelays) as a spectator, in a viewing stands, can view the match.

“Primary content” is content which is generated by a content source (asfurther described below) for presentation to multiple users. Primarycontent may have any form, format, length, duration, or otherwise andincludes “content” (as described for at least one implementation below).

“Secondary content” is content generated by another entity, such as auser, an artificial intelligence, or otherwise in reaction, response,based upon, or otherwise (herein, “responsive”) in view of a givenprimary content and/or another secondary content. “Secondary Content”may include one or more user “reactions” (as defined below) to primarycontent and/or to reactions. Secondary Content may include otherinformation, generated by any entity, such as statistics, backgroundinformation regarding primary content, information regarding a reaction,or otherwise. Secondary Content may be captured and presented in anyformat, non-limiting examples including audio/video formats, text basedformats, and otherwise. Secondary content may be humanly perceptible orimperceptible. For an implementation, secondary content may includereactions captured as “chat data.”

“Chat data” refers to user “reactions” (as described below) capturedduring a presentation of a given primary content by a user device,communicated to and stored by a server. Chat data may occur during aParty (as described below) or otherwise.

A “content segment” is a portion of content. For a non-limiting example,“primary content” may include audio and video for an entire footballgame. A “content segment” may include the audio and video for a givenscoring play for the football game.

A “reaction” is a response by a user to content. The content may beprimary content or secondary content. The reaction may be to all, or oneor more primary content segments and/or secondary content segments. Areaction may be imperceptible to others, for example, an elevated heartrate of a given user. A reaction may be perceptible to others, forexample, an outburst of sounds, motion (e.g., hand waving), or otherwiseby a given user. A reaction may be ephemeral, ongoing, or otherwise.

A reaction may be by a user to a primary content, for example a firstuser cheering an A/V presentation of a goal being scored in a footballgame. A reaction may be separately captured and recorded—herein a “priorreaction.” One or more prior reactions may occur with respect to anygiven primary content or segments thereof. Prior reactions may occurseparately by multiple users.

A user may react to a prior reaction to a given primary content segment.When captured and recorded by a user device or the like, such userreaction is referred to herein as a “later reaction.” For animplementation, a later reaction may be second captured and recorded andcommunicated to a server for additional storage and/or processing. Basedon the media event data, the later reaction may be synchronized by aserver, user device, combination thereof, or otherwise with one or moreprior reactions and with a given primary content (or segment thereof) soas to be later presentable to a user in synchronization with an earlierpresentation of the primary content (or segment thereof) and the earlieroccurring one or more prior reaction(s). One or more later reactions mayoccur with respect to any prior reaction and a later reaction mayfunction as a prior reaction for another second, later reaction. For atleast one implementation, later reactions occur after a prior reactionto a given primary content segment has been captured and recorded. Forat least one implementation, one or more prior reaction(s) and one ormore later reaction(s) may be provided to a server, synchronized by theserver based on media event data for a given primary content, and laterpresented as an Interactive Media Event (as further described herein) toa user.

A “watch party” is a “substantially simultaneous” presentation of“primary content” and “secondary content” to two or more “separate”users.

A “consolidated watch party” (“CWP”) is a collection of primary contentsegments and at least one prior reaction thereto that occurred during awatch party. A CWP may include the non-real-time presentation of contentsegments presented during a given watch party and prior reactions.

An “interactive consolidated watch party” (“ICWP”) is a CWP that mayfurther include later reactions and/or other forms of secondary content.For an ICWP, later reactions may be captured and shared, at any time,between two or more users and communicated as chat data. Such laterreactions may be captured and shared, on a synchronized basis, as anInteractive Media Event (as described below). For example, during anICWP of the football scoring drive, a user viewing a primary contentsegment and one or more prior reactions thereto may then react, therebyproviding one or more later reactions. Such later reactions may occur inresponse to the primary content and/or to the secondary content. An ICWPmay include capturing of later reactions and communication thereof toother users after a “delay period” (as described below).

Watch Parties, CWPs, and ICWPs are herein, collectively referred to aseach being a “Party.” For at least one implementation, Parties includeprimary content and secondary content. For another implementation,Parties may include secondary content without including primary content.A given combination of a primary content and one or more secondarycontent is collectively referred to herein as a “Party matter.”

A “delay period” is a period of time after a given presentation of agiven primary content during a Party. Such delay period may occur afterany given period. The delay period may occur for a pre-determined,dynamically determined, or otherwise determined period. For at least oneimplementation, a given delay period may be less than one second (1 sec)after a given presentation of a content segment during a Party. Foranother implementation, a given delay period may be determined based ona quantification of one or more networked communications characteristicsoccurring during a given Party. For a non-limiting example, a givendelay period may be determined, dynamically or otherwise, based on anaverage network latency for one or more user devices attending a givenmedia event, a worst-case latency for a given user device attending theParty, based upon bandwidth constraints, data processing constraints ofone or more user devices, or otherwise. For another implementation, agiven delay period may include a waiting period that ends upon aconclusion of a given presentation of a given primary content in aParty. For a non-limiting example, a delay period may end after asporting event, presented during a Party, concludes or sometimethereafter. For another implementation, a given delay period may includea waiting period that ends upon a conclusion of a given presentation ofa given primary content segment during a Party.

An “Interactive Media Event” (or “IME”) is a synchronized presentationof a media event with additional secondary content (later reactions),wherein such synchronized presentation occurs after a given delayperiod. During an IME, the secondary reactions are synchronized basedupon synchronization information associated with the media event. An IMEmay include a synchronization of secondary reactions with various Partymatter. The Party matter may be filtered, unfiltered (e.g., includingall available), curated, or otherwise combined by a server with laterreactions to generate the IME. An IME may vary based upon intendedrecipient, for example an IME for a given primary content presentedduring a Party may include secondary content for mature audiences whilea second IME for the same given primary content may exclude such adultoriented secondary content.

For an implementation, an IME may include a compilation of synchronizedprior reactions and later reactions, based upon synchronizationinformation provided in a media event and with or without including theprimary content segment presented in the media event and during a Party.

For at an implementation, multiple iterations of IMEs may be generated.A given IME iteration may include content corresponding to and/orassociated with a Party. When further viewings of a Party or an IMEoccur, n^(th) iterations of a given IME may be generated. The originalIME may be updated with each iteration thereof, with secondary contentbeing added or deleted to the IME. For at least one implementation, anIME may include an ever-expanding collection of later reactions. Duringan IME, prior reactions and later reactions may be synchronized by aserver or otherwise with the primary content presented during a givenParty or one or more Parties.

A non-limiting example of an IME, is an orchestral presentation wheremultiple musicians receive the primary content (the instructions from aconductor) and provide their reactions (their musical tracks) inresponse thereto. A primary content of an orchestral movement, a mediaevent, may include a live and/or pre-recorded audio and/or video streamof instructions provided by the conductor. Music generated by a leadmusician, such as a first violinist, may provide a first reaction (aprior reaction) to the conductor's instructions. “Synchronizationinformation” provided with the primary content (such as the conductor'sbaton strokes). The synchronization information may be provided in anyform that corresponds to the primary content, non-limiting examplesincluding a musical score, audio/video time frame data, or otherwise.

For an implementation, the primary content and the synchronizationinformation provide a baseline presentation—a media event—which respectto which other musicians (such as one or more of the first and secondviolinists) may interact by providing their own contributions; “priorreactions” by the 1^(st) violinist and “later reactions” by the othermusicians. Such reactions maybe captured, recorded, uploaded to aserver, and then synchronized with the media event information togenerate a synchronized, multi-user presentation of primary content (theconductor's interpretation of the musical score) and multiple users'reactions thereto (the multiple musicians' independent contributions)thereto, resulting in an IME—a synchronized combination of multiple userreactions to the primary content—the conductor's instructions.

Further, for this non-limiting example, one or more of the users (suchas violinists, percussionists, or otherwise) may be remotely located intime and/or space from the first violinist and/or the conductor. Theusers may utilize a user device to receive the media event from aserver. While the users/musicians are presented with the primary content(e.g., the conductor's baton instructions) and prior reaction (e.g., themusical sounds produced by the first violinist), the second musicianprovide their own musical contributions (their later reactions), usingtheir own instruments. Such later reactions may be captured by each ofthe second users' user devices. For at least one implementation, suchreactions may be captured and time stamped by the respective userdevice(s). For another implementation, such reactions may be timestamped based upon a corresponding presentation time of the primarycontent (e.g., the time associated with a conductor's given batonmovements). Such time stamps of a given user's reactions may correspondto synchronization information that correspond to the conductor's tempo,to frames synch, other timing information associated with the primarycontent, or otherwise. Time stamped prior and later reactions may becommunicated to a server as secondary content, which the server combineswith the media event data to generate an orchestral musicalpresentation—an IME. The IME may be subsequently presented, in whole orin part, to any user.

It is to be appreciated that the above example of an orchestralpresentation as an IME, can also be applied in any context wheremultiple users' reactions to a primary content and/or to a priorreaction are separately captured and recorded by a respective userdevice, synchronized by a server, and result in a combined presentation,an IME. Non-limiting examples include multiple user reactions (secondarycontent) to a stand-up comedy routine (the primary content), multipleuser reactions (secondary content) to a scoring event in a sportingmatch (the primary content), multiple user reactions (user bets) to anonline gaming event, such as a fantasy sports events, or otherwise.

For at least one implementation, an IME may be generated from reactionscaptured during a Party. For another implementation, an IME may begenerated from reactions captured during serial, non-synchronizedpresentations of primary content.

As further described in the '277 Application and in the ConsolidatedWatch Party application, during a Party, a sync server may be configuredto transmit a given primary content segment, e.g., a portion of a motionpicture, as a first content to the first user device and as a secondcontent to the second user device. The sync server may be configured toadjust a first bit rate for the first content. Upon adjusting the firstbit rate, the first content and second content may be respectivelyprovided to the first user device and the second user device such thatthe first user device and the second user device can substantiallysimultaneously and separately present the first content to the firstuser and the second content to the second user. Reactions by the firstuser and/or the second user may be captured by a user's respective userdevice and communicated, via the sync server and to other usersparticipating in a given Party, substantially simultaneously with thepresentation of the content to one or more of the users.

For at least one implementation of an IME, such real-timesynchronization of content presentations by multiple user devices mayoccur on a “delayed real-time basis,” which is defined herein as a delayperiod greater than one hundred milliseconds (100 msec) and less thanfive hundred milliseconds (100-500 msec). During an IME, the delayperiod may be fixed. The delay period may vary based upon then arisingbandwidth, latency, and other networking and/or data processingconstraints.

During an IME presented on a delayed real-time basis, a given primarycontent segment, a first user reaction (a prior reaction) and one ormore second user reaction(s) (each being a later reaction) may becaptured by user devices, communicated to a server, synchronized by theserver, and presented to one or more of the first, second and/or thirdsusers within a determined, delayed real-time basis. For at least oneimplementation, third users may be passive users who are not permitted,at a given time, to provide secondary reactions. In one implementation,the third users may be presented, within the determined delayedreal-time basis period, with a time synchronized presentation of theprimary content segment, the prior reaction and one or more laterreactions and/or other secondary content.

As shown in FIG. 1 , one implementation of a system for facilitatingIMEs may include a synchronization (“sync”) server 102 that iscommunicatively coupled by a communications network 108 to a first userdevice 104-1, multiple user devices 104-2 to 104-N may also be coupledto the sync server.

A content source 106 may be coupled to the sync server 102. Local copiesof content segments may be maintained by the sync server 102. The syncserver 102, user devices 104-1 to 104-N, and content source(s) 106 maybe the same or different than those used during one or more Parties andwith respect to which a given IME is generated. For a least oneimplementation, an IME may generated from primary content presentedduring two or more prior Parties. For example, an IME of a user'sfavorite football team may include primary content segments from two ormore football games during a season.

For at least one implementation, an IME may be generated from a“highlights reel” of a given season that includes curated and/orselected primary content segments from a larger collection of primarycontent segments. An IME may include selections of prior reactions andselections of later reactions to such primary content segmentselections.

The system components of the implementation of FIG. 1 are furtherdescribed below with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .

Sync Server 102

As shown in FIG. 2 , the sync server 102 may include and/or becommunicatively coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) 202. The CPU202 may be provided by any local processing device capable of executingone more computer executable instructions (herein, a “computerinstruction”) which, in accordance with an implementation of the presentdisclosure, facilitates one or more data processing operationsincluding, and not limited to, one or more computer engines such as async engine 202A, a content segment engine 202B, a chat engine 202C, aconsolidation engine 202D, and an IME engine 202E (such computer enginesare further described below). One or more of the computer engines202-A/B/C/D/E may be combined, included, not included, distributedacross one or more devices, such as one or more user devices 104, and/orprovided separately. For at least one implementation, a consolidationengine 202D may not be included.

The CPU 202 may include one or more physical (as compared to logical)components configured for such data processing operations. The CPU 202may include one or more hardware processors, such as 32-bit and 64-bitcentral processing units, multi-core ARM based processors,microprocessors, microcontrollers, and otherwise. The computerinstructions may include instructions for executing one or moreapplications, software computer engines, and/or processes configured toperform computer executable operations (herein, “engines”). Such enginesmay arise in any computing configuration including, and not limited to,local, remote, distributed, blade, virtual, or other configurationsand/or systems configured for use in support of an implementation of oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The CPU 202 may be communicatively coupled by a data bus 214 or similarstructure to a data storage 204, which may also be referred to as a“computer readable storage medium.” The data storage 204 may be a singlestorage device, multiple storage devices, or otherwise. The data storage204 may be provided locally with the sync server 102 or remotely, suchas a data storage service provided on the Cloud, and/or otherwise.Storage of data including, and not limited to, user data 204A,connection data 204B, content data 204C, chat data 204D, consolidationdata 204E, IME data 204F, and other data may be managed by a storagecontroller (not shown) or similar component.

It is to be appreciated that a storage controller manages the storing ofdata and may be instantiated in one or more of the data storage 204, theCPU 202, on the Cloud, or otherwise. Any known or later arising storagetechnologies may be utilized. Non-limiting examples of devices that maybe configured for use as data storage 204 include electrical storagedevices, such as EEPROMs, random access memory (RAM), Flash drives, andsolid-state drives, optical drives such as DVDs and CDs, magneticstorage devices, such as hard drive discs, magnetic drives, magnetictapes, memory cards, such as Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD)cards, Universal Serial Bus (USB) cards, and others.

Available storage provided by the data storage 204 may be partitioned orotherwise designated by the storage controller, or otherwise, asproviding for permanent storage and temporary storage. Non-transientdata, transient data, computer instructions, or the like may be suitablystored in the data storage 204 for any amount of time used to executeone or more computer instructions. While being used for execution of acomputer instruction, such data is herein considered to benon-transient. While stored by the storage device, data is hereinconsidered to be non-transient. As used herein, permanent storage isdistinguished from temporary storage, with the latter providing alocation for temporarily storing data, variables, or other instructionsused for a then arising data processing operations. A non-limitingexample of a temporary storage device is a memory component providedwith and/or embedded onto a processor or integrated circuit providedtherewith for use in performing then arising data calculations andoperations. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that a reference hereinto “temporary storage” is not to be interpreted as being a reference totransient storage of data. Permanent storage and/or temporary storagemay be used to store transient and non-transient computer instructionsand other data.

The sync server 102 may be any computing device capable of facilitatingone or more of the operations described below and/or otherwise providedby an implementation of the present disclosure.

The sync server 102 may be further configured to include a power supply206. The power supply 206 may include any known or later arisingtechnologies which facilitate the storage, supplying, transforming, orother use of electrical energy. Non-limiting examples of suchtechnologies include batteries, power converters, inductive chargingcomponents, transformers, line-power components, solar power components,and otherwise.

The sync server 102 may be further configured to include a securitycomponent 208. The security component 208 may be provided as a hardwaresecurity component, a software executed security component, and/or acombination thereof. Security components 208 are well known in the artand may include any known or later arising security hardware and/orsoftware components, including computer instructions, or combinationsthereof, that are configured to secure content, communications, restrictaccess to devices, processes, components, and data therewith, andotherwise. The security component 208 may be used to facilitate securetransmission, processing, storage, and otherwise of any data used inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

The sync server 102 may be further configured to include a userinterface 210. The user interface 210 may include any known or laterarising human to device interface components, processes andtechnologies. User interfaces 210 are well-known in the art andnon-limiting examples include interfaces facilitating human to devicecommunication of information in any form including include audibleinputs (such as spoken commands) and outputs (generated sound), visibleinputs (such as eye tracking and facial recognition) and outputs (suchas visible images presented on a display device, LEDs, or otherwise),touch inputs (such as on a trackpad, touch screen or otherwise), touchfeedback (such as vibrations or other movements), gesture tracking, andotherwise. The user interface 210 may be coupled to and/or include theone or more presentation devices (not shown). The presentation devicesfacilitate interactions between the user and the sync server 102.Non-limiting examples of presentation devices include speakers,displays, and others.

The sync server 102 may be further configured to include acommunications interfaces 212. The communications interface 212 may beconfigured to use any known or later arising communications and/ornetworking technologies which facilitate use of the communicationsnetwork 108 (as further described below). Communication interfaces arewell-known in the art and non-limiting examples include Ethernet cards,USB and storage medium interface cards, radio frequency transceivers,and others.

User Device(s) 104

Referring again to FIG. 1 and for at least one implementation of an IME,the system 100 includes at least one user device, such as first userdevice 104-1. For an IME, one or more additional user devices may beincluded, such as a second user device 104-2 to an Nth user device104-N. Such additional user devices may be included in the system 100 atthe same time as the first user device 104-1 is initially presented with“matter” or at a later time.

The user devices 104 may be similarly configured to the sync server 102to include one or more processors, data storage, user interface, powersupplies, security, and communications interface components. The userdevices 104 may also include one or more location components (not shown)that may be useful in determining a then present location for the userdevice 104. The characteristics and capabilities of such components arewell known in the art and one or more of such components may beconfigured to execute computer instructions which facilitate IMEs.Non-limiting examples of user devices 104 include smartphones, laptopcomputers, tablet computing devices, desktop computers, smarttelevisions, smart glasses, virtual reality glasses, augmented realityglasses, earbuds/headphones and other audible output devices, and otherdevices. User devices 104 may be communicatively coupled to a cablesystem, satellite system, streaming audio and video system, onlinegaming system, and/or other content distribution systems, on-linecontent distribution systems, and the like to facilitate communicationswith the sync server 102.

Content Sources 106

For at least one implementation, the system 100 may include one or morecontent sources 106. The content sources 106 may provide some or all ofthe “matter” presented during a Party and an IME. A content source 106may be similarly configured to the sync server 102 to include one ormore processors, data storage, user interface, security, communications,and/or location components. The characteristics and capabilities of suchcomponents are well known in the art and one or more of such componentsmay be configured to execute computer instructions which facilitateIMEs. Non-limiting examples of content sources 106 include cable andsatellite television systems, such as those provided by COMCAST and DISHNETWORK, streaming content sources, such as those provided by SLING TVand YOUTUBE, video-on demand sources, such as those provided by NETFLIX,HULU and others, and other sources of content.

For at least one implementation, a content source 106 may be a userdevice 104. The user device 104 may be configured to provide additionalcontent, such as live or recorded content, for use during a Party and anIME. For at least one implementation, a user device 104 may function asa presentation device to a given user during an IME. During an IME, auser device 104 may function as a content source for presentation ofprimary content, additional content, prior reactions, and/or laterreactions, to users.

For example, a birthday party may be captured by a user's device, suchas a smartphone, communicated to the sync server 102 and presented toother users, during a Party, with later reactions by one or more of suchusers being shared with the other users during an IME. An IME may begenerated based on content associated with the Party and the IME mayinclude any given “matter.” For the non-limiting birthday party example,a Party may provide the moment(s) of realization (prior reactions), by aperson opening a present, of what the present entails. Such priorreactions, such as joy, puzzlement, or the like, and having beencaptured during the Party, may be presented with any later reactionsduring the IME, such as a later reaction by a relative later viewing theParty. For an implementation, such later reactions may be synchronizedwith the prior reactions, provided by the Party matter, in an IMEpresentation.

For at least one implementation of an IME, the sync server 102 may beconfigured to store one or more content segments selected from contentpresented during a Party and/or an IME as content data 204C. For anotherimplementation, the sync server 102 may be configured to store one ormore links to content segments selected from the content presentedduring a Party as content data 204C. The one or more links may identifya content source 106 and a location of where the given contentsegment(s) can be retrieved from such content source 106. The contentmay then be presented, as Party matter, during an IME. Later reactionsmay be captured and synchronized during the IME.

Network 108

For at least one implementation, the system 100 includes acommunications network 108 that communicatively couples a user device104 with the sync server 102 and communicatively couples the contentsource 106 with the sync server 106.

For at least one implementation, user devices 104 may be directly orindirectly coupled. The communications network 108 may utilize any knownand/or later arising communications and/or networking technologies,standards, protocols or otherwise. Non-limiting examples of suchtechnologies include packet switch and circuit switched communicationstechnologies, such as and without limitation, Wide Area Networks (WAN),such as the Internet, Local Area Networks (LAN), Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTN), Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), cellularcommunications networks such as a 3G/4G/5G or other cellular network,Internet of Things (IoT) networks, Cloud based networks, privatenetworks, public networks, or otherwise.

The communications network 108 may utilize mid-band and/or high band 5Gcommunications frequencies. As is commonly known and appreciated,mid-band 5G communications frequencies typically support communicationsof 100-400 Mb/s download and are typically deployed over 2.4 GHz to 4.2GHz frequencies. Likewise, high band 5G communications frequenciestypically support communications of 1-2 Gb/s download and are typicallydeployed over 24-72 GHz frequencies.

One or more communications and networking standards and/or protocols maybe used including, without limitation, the TCP/IP suite of protocols,the Extensible Message and Presence Protocol (XMPP), VOIP, Ethernet,Wi-Fi, CDMA, GSM/GRPS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, MPEG, andothers.

As shown in FIG. 1 , one or more communications links may be establishedbetween a user device 104 and the sync server 102. It is to beappreciated that any combination of communications links, including thecommunications links, may be combined or provided as single, multiple orother combinations of communication links. Accordingly, it is to beappreciated that the communications links are described herein forpurposes of functional explanation and are not limited to any particularphysical configurations.

A user device 104 may establish a sync link 110-1/2/N with the syncserver 102. During an IME, the sync link 110 may be used to facilitatecommunication of synchronization information by and between a given userdevice 104 and a given sync server 102.

As further shown in FIG. 1 , a user device 104 may establish a contentlink 112-1/2/N with the sync server 102. The content link 112 may beused to facilitate communication of Party “matter” by the sync server102 and/or from a content source 106 to a user device 104 participatingin an IME. While depicted in FIG. 1 as a unidirectional link, it is tobe appreciated that when a given user device 104 may also function as acontent source for given Party matter to be presented during an IME. Thecontent link 112 may be used to communicate a given matter and laterreactions, during an IME, to a given user device.

During an IME, a user device 104 may be configured to be a receiver anda source of a given “matter.” For a non-limiting example, a first userdevice 104-1 may be configured, during an IME, to present additionalcontent. For example, a video feed of another content not previouslypresented during a given one or more Parties may be presented by a userdevice or a server. Additional content may be obtained from othercontent sources 106 during an IME.

As further shown in FIG. 1 , one or more user devices 104 may establisha chat link 114-1/2/N with the sync server 102. For at least oneimplementation, the chat link 114 may be used to facilitatebi-directional communication of one or more users' later reactions to agiven Party matter during an IME. Reactions captured by a given userdevice may be shared substantially simultaneously, or at another time,with other users during (or after) a multi-user presentation of an IME,appended to the IME for presentation to other users at another time, orotherwise captured and processed.

For at least one implementations, user later reactions during an IME maybe captured and stored in temporary storage. For another implementation,a given user's later reactions during an IME may be captured and storedin permanent storage.

Later reactions captured by any user device may be shared with any givenpresentation of an IME. A user's later reactions during a presentationof an IME may be communicated to the sync server 102 using the chat link114 and redistributed to the other users, after a delay period, usingthe content link 112. For example, audio and/or video of a user's laterreaction may be communicated over respective content links 112 to otherusers in a picture-in-picture, overlay, separate audio channel, mixedaudio channel, text message stream, closed captioning stream, orotherwise on a delayed real-time basis. Later reactions may becommunicated, using the system 100, in one or more combined or separatedata streams, such as combined or separate MPEG, AAC, other audio and/orvideo streams, and/or as other data stream.

One or more user devices 104 and/or the sync server 102 may beconfigured to mix, present or otherwise process later reactions inaccordance with preferences of a given user, based upon a defaultsetting, or otherwise. One or more of the sync server, a transmittinguser device, and/or a receiving user device may be configured totransform later reactions provided by a given user into an audible,visual, grammatical, phonetic, language, or other humanly perceptibleformat. For example, audible later reactions in the Spanish language maybe translated into the English language. Similarly, audible laterreactions may be converted to text for hearing impaired users andphysical reactions (such as clapping or the like) may be converted todescriptive text for visually impaired users. Other later reactions maybe converted for any given implementation. For at least oneimplementation, Cloud based resources may be used for later reactionprocessing.

The sync server 102 may be configured to process and use, in subsequentParties and/or IMEs, later reactions captured during an IME in lieu ofand/or in addition to prior reactions. For example, a prior reactioncontaining profanity may be replaced with a later reaction notcontaining profanity. Similarly, an incomplete prior reaction may beaugmented by a later reaction expounding thereon.

As further shown in FIG. 1 , one or more source links 116 may beestablished between a content source 106 and the sync server 102 and/orone or more user devices 104. For at least one implementation, sourcelinks 116 facilitate the providing of additional content and/or contentsegments to a given one or more user devices 104. The additional contentand/or content segments may be provided indirectly, for example, byrouting such content through and/or via the sync server 102 and/or oneor more streaming servers (not shown) operating under direction and/orcontrol of the sync server 102.

One or more direct connections between a content source 106 and a userdevice 104 may be used. As used herein, a “direct” connection between acontent source 106 and a user device 104 does not utilize the syncserver 102, or a streaming server operating under the direction andcontrol of the sync server 102, to provide a given Party matter, to agiven user device 104, during an IME. A hybrid topology may be usedwhere in-direct and direct connections are used between content sources106, sync server 104, and one or more user devices 104.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , the sync server 102 may be configured tomanage and process content and reactions for facilitating IMEs byexecuting computer instructions for the sync engine 202A, contentsegment engine 202B, chat engine 202C, the consolidation engine 202D,the IME engine 202E, and other engines. Such computer engines may alsobe instantiated and executed on any basis such as on a distributed basiswith one or more of the user devices 104 facilitating data processingfor a given engine.

Sync Engine 202A

During an IME, the sync engine 202A facilitates the providing of Partymatter to a given user device. Such providing of Party matter may occurafter a given delay period, such as but not limited to on a delayedreal-time basis. Synchronization may include the providing oftransitions between multiple content segments, such as fading in, fadingout, or the like. During an IME, the sync engine 202A may facilitatesynchronization of one or more Party matter with later reactions amongstthe various user devices.

The sync engine 202A may manage formation of an IME, determine latency,user device delays, and other delays, and synchronize the providing ofgiven Party matter and later reactions within a delay period. During anIME, synchronization may occur based upon one more identifiable portionsof one or more of the media events associated with a Party matter, suchas a timestamp for a given primary content segment, a time stamp for agiven prior reaction, or a time stamp for a given later reaction. Foranother implementation, synchronization may occur in view of a givendelay period including, but not limited to, a substantially simultaneousbasis and/or a delayed real-time basis.

During an IME, content segments, and other data may be identified by oneor more of an elapsed time, a remaining time, a presentation time stamp,a decoder time stamp, an absolute time (such as a time based on auniversal time), a packet number, a packet identifier, based uponprimary content information, based upon metadata for a given content, orotherwise.

Content Segment Engine 202B

For at least one implementation, the content segment engine 202B maymanage the providing of one or more given “matters” to one or more givenuser devices 104 during an IME. The sync server 102 may operate as oneor more streaming servers, with a streaming server providing “matters”to the one or more given user devices 104. The content segment engine202B may request and receive one or more “matters” from a content source106. The content segment engine 202B may buffer, temporarily store,and/or permanently store such “matter.”

For at least one implementation, a content segment engine 202B, whetherinstantiated on a sync server 102 or a user device 104, may control oneor more aspects of presentation of a given “matter.” For example, andnot by limitation, one or more trick-play modes may be supported by acontent segment engine 202B, non-limiting examples of trick-play modesinclude: Pause, Play, Skip, Fast Forward, Reverse, Stop, and the like.For at least one implementation, trick-play modes (when supported for agiven content segment and/or new content) may be selected by a“director” (as defined below) using an appropriate input/output device,such as a remote-control device, a verbal command, a gesture, orotherwise. A contextual voice command, or the like, may be used toinitiate presentation of an IME.

As used herein, a “director” is a user device participating in an IME.For at least one implementation, the “first user device” and the“director” are used interchangeably. It is to be appreciated that anygiven user device may be a director. For an IME, one or more userdevices may be a director.

A director 104-1 may specify to the sync server 102 the content segmentsand prior reactions to be presented during an IME. For example, an IMEfor a football game may include content segments for Team A and for TeamB and one or more prior reactions to a content segment. A first directormay select content segments and prior reactions for Team A for a firstIME, while a second director may select content segments and priorreactions for Team B for a second IME.

During an IME, the content segment engine 202B may communicate a matterto the two or more participating user devices after a given delayperiod. Such communications may occur in consideration of latency, userdevice delays and/or other delays.

The content segment engine 202B may communicate Party matter and/orlater reactions at one or more of quality settings, such as a minimumquality setting, a maximum quality setting, or otherwise. When a qualitysetting is not achievable, at a given time, the content segment engine202B may take corrective actions until such minimum quality settings canbe realized. Non-limiting examples of corrective actions include:pausing presenting of the “matter” to one or more user devicesparticipating in the IME; providing an alternative content link and/oran alternative chat link to those user devices not otherwise receivingthe “matter” and/or later reactions at the minimum quality level;recording the event for later presentation; disabling sharing of certainlater reactions, in one or more formats (such as audio and video), toand/or from one or more user devices; providing an option to a user of agiven user device to accept a different quality level; forcing userdevices participating in an IME to jump ahead to a content location fora director; delaying the content; or taking other actions.

The content segment engine 202B may facilitate presentation of a given“matter” and later reaction(s) by adaptively modifying one or more ofthe resolution, bit rate, content size, communications bandwidthutilized, communications link type used between the content server 102and a given user device 104, or otherwise such that a given delay periodoccurs.

The content segment engine 202B may retrieve and synchronizepresentation of additional content available from a given user device inorder to facilitate an IME. Content engines 202B on the sync server 102and the user devices 104 may communicate status information over thesync links 110 and may not need to utilize content links 112. A directormay control any trick-mode operations, with users of participating userdevices requesting trick-mode operations (such as PAUSE) via a chat link114.

During an IME, two or more user devices may be configured to havetrick-mode control capabilities. For an implementation, a selection of atrick-mode operation may result in a communication to the director 104-1and/or sync server 102 to initiate the selected trick-mode operationwith respect to one or more “matters” with corresponding trick-modeoperations occurring with respect to any later reactions.

Adaptive bitrate streaming sessions may be used between the sync server102 and user device 104 to facilitate substantially simultaneouspresentation of one or more “matters” and later reactions during an IME.The content segment engine 202B may utilize one or more adaptive bitratestreaming technologies. Non-limiting examples of adaptive bitratestreaming technologies that may be utilized include MPEG-DASH, AdobeSystems HTTP Dynamic Streaming, Apple HTTP Live Streaming, MicrosoftSmooth Streaming, and others. By adaptively modifying the bitrate usedto provide content to a user device 104 during an IME, a given “matter”and later reactions may be provided, decoded and presented on a userdevice 104 within a delayed real-time basis.

For example, for a first user device 104-1 communicatively coupled tothe sync server 102 using a 100 Mb/s connection, the sync server 102provides a given “matter” at a 4K resolution over a first content link112-1. For a second user device 104-2 communicatively coupled to thesync server 102 via a 15 Mb/s connection, the sync server 102 mayprovide the given “matter” at a 720p resolution over a second contentlink 112-2. Later reactions may be similarly provided at a givenresolution. By providing the given “matter” and any later reactions atthe lower resolution to the second user device 104-2, the reception andpresentation of such “matter” and later reactions may occursubstantially simultaneously; after accounting for any delay period andassuming user device content processing times are equal.

Processing times for user devices for given “matters” and laterreactions may vary. The sync server 102 may use the content segmentengine 202B, in conjunction with the sync engine 202A, to determine userdevice delays. Such user device delays may be determined, for example,upon an initialization of a Party, or otherwise. User device delays maybe determined based upon test content segments, initial contentsegments, or otherwise. The sync server 102 may store user device delayinformation as user data 204A. User device delays may be used indetermining a delay period to use for a given IME. User data 204A mayinclude information regarding a user device 104, preferences for a userassociated with such user device, and other user device information.

Connection data 204B, as stored in the data storage 204 or otherwise,may be used by the sync server 102 in facilitating an IME. Non-limitingexamples of connection data include type of connection, distance of userdevice from sync server 102, maximum available bandwidth, throughput,latency, and other data. Connection data may be determined for a contentlink 112 on a once, repeated, or other basis. A content link 112 maychange as the location of a given user device 104 changes. For example,a user device 104 may participate in a Party from a home location usinga high-speed Internet connection, while participating in a later arisingIME using a 4G cellular connection, or vice-versa. Connection datadetermined and stored and the frequency of such determining and storingmay vary based upon a type of connection used by a given user devicewhile participating in an IME. The sync server 104 may use connectiondata to initially, or later, configure the content link between the syncserver 102 and a given user device 104. Connection data may be used toreconfigure a content link, such as by adjusting a bitrate utilized. Thecontent link used to facilitate presentation of content segments andlater reactions to multiple users during an IME and within a given delayperiod may vary over time.

The data storage 204 may include content data 204C. Content data 204Cmay include primary content segments and secondary content segments.Such segments may be obtained from a Party. Primary content segmentspresented during a Party may be stored on the sync server 102, on one ormore user devices 104, and/or on the Cloud.

Primary content segments may be made available by a producer, publisher,distributor, or other source of such content. For example, a producerfor a new television series may designate one or more primary contentsegments presented during a Party available for use in an IME.

IMEs may be used for promotional purposes. IMEs may also be used for anylawful purpose; non-limiting examples including gambling, sportingcontests, shopping, educational and training, cooking, or otherwise.IMEs may be used for sporting contests, such as MARCH MADNESS, theOLYMPICS, the WORLD CUP, FORMULA 1 races, or otherwise to facilitatecommon viewing of Party matter and later reactions to one or more users.

A sync server 102 may include information identifying Party matters, orelements thereof, such as primary content segments, prior reactions,and/or other secondary content that are stored on one more user devices104 and presentable during an IME. Such “matters” are referred to hereinas “pre-cached matter.” Non-limiting examples of pre-cached matter mayinclude commercials, segments of non-live programs, previouslydesignated prior reactions, or otherwise. The sync server 102 may usepre-cached matter to facilitate an IME. Pre-cached matters provide readyaccess thereto, by the sync server 102 and/or by a given user device.Such ready access may overcome various constraints such as unreliablecontent links 112, insufficient bandwidth, latency, or otherwise. A syncserver 102 may instruct a given user device 104 to access suchpre-cached matter on an on-demand or otherwise basis. Such instructionsmay be provided over one or more of the sync link 110 and/or the contentlink 112.

Chat Engine 202C

The sync server 102 (and/or one or more user devices 104) may execute achat engine 202C. The chat engine 202 may facilitate communicationsbetween user devices 104 during an IME. Such communications may occurusing a chat link 114. Such communications may take any form, such asaudio, text message, emoticons, video, GIFs, video, graphics, orotherwise. The chat engine 112 may facilitate user-to-user (or private)communications, user-to-multiple user (or semi-private) communications,user-to-all (or public) communications, or otherwise.

User communications occurring during an IME may be stored in datastorage 204 as chat data 204D. Chat data 204D may be time stamped and/orotherwise designated to facilitate synchronization thereof with respectto a given content segment, a prior reaction, a later reaction, and/oradditional content such that a later playback of one or more of theforegoing may include chat data corresponding thereto that is generatedduring the given IME. For example, a later viewing of content segmentsfor the football program during an IME may include later reactionsthereto by an Nth user. Such later reactions may be provided in chatdata arising between a first user and a second user during the IME.Prior reactions may also be presented, assuming such prior reactions arepresented during the IME. Such later synchronization and presentation ofchat data may enable the Nth user to enjoy the highlights from theoriginal Party as if participating real-time even when such prior Partymay in fact have occurred earlier and the Nth user's reactions arecaptured as later reactions and associated with the content presentedduring the IME.

A chat link 114 may be provided as a sub-stream of a content link 112and/or of a sync link 110 during an IME. Chat data communicated over thechat link 114 may be adaptively bitrate provided to the various users inthe IME such that a user device 104 receives a given user's laterreactions to a given “matter” within a delay period. For example, avideo camera focused upon a first user (or group thereof) may adaptivelybit-rate stream images (and audio) of such first user to other secondusers such that the later reactions of the first user, as presented tothe second users, is substantially simultaneous is synch, afteraccounting for the delay period, with the presentation of the given“matter” being presented to the first user and resulting in the givenlater reaction. Accordingly, and for at least one implementation, a chatlink 114 may utilize higher speed communications links than are used tofacilitate the content links 112 such that later reactions to “matter”may be in substantially simultaneous synchronization, after accountingfor the delay period, across two or more user devices participating inan IME. For at least one implementation, chat links 114 are providedusing networks supporting high band 5G communications.

The chat engine 202C may jointly and/or separately associate priorreactions and later reactions with given content segments and/or (asappropriate) additional content. Such associations, prior reactions,and/or later reactions may be stored as chat data 204D in the datastorage 204. Reactions may take any form and may include facialresponses, audible responses, and otherwise.

Consolidation Engine 202D

The sync server 102 (and/or one or more user devices 104) may execute aconsolidation engine 202D. The consolidation engine 202D may facilitateselection of “matters” for IMEs. The consolidation engine 202D mayselect matter from previously stored content segments, prior reactions,later reactions, and other data and/or other content.

The consolidation engine 202D may receive “matter designations” fromcontent sources 106 of “matters” presented in a previously occurringParty or IME that correspond to one or more criteria. Non-limitingexamples of criteria for matter designations may include popularity,most reactions, most viewed, most presented, length, content type, bestof, funniest, scariest, informative, highest rated, fact verified,source verified, or otherwise. The consolidation engine 202D may utilizematter designations and criteria to facilitate an IME, with laterreactions generated in response to prior reactions satisfying one ormore matter designation criteria.

The consolidation engine 202D may facilitate selection of “matters” foran IME based upon tags provided by a content source 106, in a priorresponse, or otherwise. For example, a content source 106 may tagportions of a content based upon any criteria. Returning to thenon-limiting football game example, the content source 106 may tag agiven game based upon when various players, officials, fans or othersare depicted, when certain actions occurs, (such as touchdowns,interceptions, sacks, fumbles, or the like), or otherwise. A contentsource 106 may provide tags that identify prior reactions thatcorrespond to primary content segments. Any tag and tagging methodologymay be used by a content source 106. A tag may correspond to a matterdesignation.

The consolidation engine 202D may select/tag given “matters” forpresentation during an IME based upon prior reactions of one or moreusers during a Party and based further upon later reactions. For anon-limiting example, facial recognition technologies may be used whichcapture and analyze one or more user's facial reactions to a primarycontent presented during a Party. Such reactions may include, forexample, raised eyebrows, smiling, frowning, closing or opening of eyesor ears, or otherwise. Such reactions may be captured separately or inconjunction with verbal prior reactions, such as yells, screams, sighs,or otherwise, physiological reactions such as elevated heart rates,sweating, or the like, and otherwise. Any prior reaction may be used fortagging purposes. Based upon captured prior reaction(s), theconsolidation engine 202D may identify certain content segments andprior reactions for presentation as Party matter in an IME. Capturedlater reactions may be further tagged.

The consolidation engine 202D may select tags for given “matters” basedupon a transcript thereof. For example, transcripts of content dialogand/or prior reaction transcripts may be used to select/tag contentsegments therein. The consolidation engine 202D may select tags forgiven “matters” based upon gaps in dialog for a content, gaps in priorreactions, continuity of prior reactions, sounds associated with theprimary content and/or prior reactions (such as explosions, gunfire, orotherwise), and otherwise. The consolidation engine 202D may select tagsfor given “matters” based upon chat data associated with a Party for anIME.

The consolidation engine 202D may use a buffer period arising before andafter a given tagged event. For example, a prior reaction of a scream bya user, may be processed by the content source 106, a sync server 106,or otherwise to include content arising before (and giving rise to) thescream. Content occurring after the scream might be included or excludedby the consolidation engine 202D. The amount of any pre-tag or post-tagbuffer(s) may be preset, determined by a content source, user device,sync server, automatically determined (for example, using lateroccurring prior reactions or tags), or otherwise.

Using the one or more tags of “matter”, the consolidation engine 202Dmay assemble “matter(s)” for presentation during an IME. The collectionof assembled “matters” herein being a “Party reel.” For oneimplementation, the party reel may constitute a form of a “highlightsreel” presentation, a “best of” presentation, or the like. Suchassembling of “matters” into the Party reel may include given contentsegments and/or other forms of tagged “matter” alone or in combinationwith other forms of “matter.” For example, prior reactions to a givencontent segment may be combined for presentation during an IME in aParty reel. Additional “matter” so assembled for a Party reel may beobtained from another content source, from pre-cached matter, fromcontent data 204C, from chat data 204D, or otherwise.

The consolidation engine 202D may present party reels in accordance withone or more themes, styles, formats, technologies (e.g., augmented,virtual and standard reality), lengths, based upon user preferences(obtained, for example, from user data 204A), or otherwise. Theconsolidation engine 202D may be user controllable such that a Partyreel is presented according to a user selected style, length, format, orotherwise. A Party reel for an IME may include use of additionalcontent, such as additional music, sound effects, visual effects, orotherwise. A user device 104 may be configured to modify, adapt, orotherwise edit a Party reel for presentation on the user device 104during an IME. Such editing may occur automatically or based upon userinputs.

The consolidation engine 202D may store tags, Party reels, usersettings, and other data as consolidation data 204E.

The consolidation engine 202D may generate Party reels as graphicalinformation files (GIFs), compressed for online or world-wide-webviewing, configured for sharing via social media, formatted forstandard, virtual, augmented, or other realities, compressed fortransmission, storage, or otherwise, frame rate adjusted to fit a givenpresentation time window, such as thirty (30) seconds, one minute, orotherwise, adapted for use in commercials and/or advertisements in anymedia format, and otherwise.

IME Engine 202E

The sync server 102 (and/or one or more user devices 104) may execute anIME engine 202E. The IME engine 202E may facilitate selection of“matters” for IMEs. “Matter” may be selected from one or more of contentdata 204C, chat data 204D, consolidation data 204E, and/or IME data 20F.The matter with or without any later reactions occurring during an IMEmay be stored as IME data 204F.

The IME engine 202E may synchronize “matter” and later reactions usingconnection data 204B. Synchronization may occur using, in whole or inpart, in cooperation with, by, or otherwise with the sync engine 202A.

The IME engine 202E may store, set, specify, or otherwise use one ormore delay parameters that specify a delay period to use with respect toan IME or a portion thereof. The delay period may be fixed, dynamicallyadjusted, or otherwise specified. The delay period may arise in view ofconnection data 204B, content data 204C, user data 204A, and otherwise.For example, the delay period may be longer when 4K video data packetsare communicated and may be shorter when textual information iscommunicated during an IME.

The IME engine 202E may utilize one or more of the matter designationsin facilitating an IME.

The IME engine 202E, as provided on or by a user device and/or at theserver, may specify a level of interactivity for a given user device onan IME. For example, a user device may indicate that the device opts outof receiving certain content, such as video content, or otherwise.

The IME engine 202E may include a synchronizer which synchronizesmultiple instances of later reactions, such as each of the laterreactions by the orchestral members to generate a synchronizedpresentation of the given musical score during an IME. For animplementation, the IME engine 202E may adjust the timing, occurrence,or otherwise of later reactions and/or segments thereof. For example,later reactions provided by an orchestral member that are irretrievablyout of synch with later reactions provided by other orchestral members,may be excluded from presentation in a given IME.

The IME engine 202E may synchronize content using synchronizationinformation provided in a media event, or other information. Such otherinformation may be pre-existing, then generated, derived from othersynchronization information, or otherwise. For example, the orchestralIME may include adjusting synchronization information associated withthe primary content (the conductor's baton movements) based uponinformation associated with other conductors, such as famous conductor'spresentation of the musical score.

The IME engine 202E may present IMEs according to one or more“experience modes.” As used herein, an “IME experience mode” identifiesa given user's level of interaction with primary content, priorreactions, and/or later reactions presented during an IME.

A first IME experience mode may include a view only type mode, where agiven user is able to view a synchronized presentation of a matter andlater reactions, but not contribute their own later reactions.

A second IME experience mode may include a prior reaction responsecapability where the user can respond (provide their own laterreactions) to the primary content and/or prior reactions, but notrespond to other user's later reactions.

A third IME experience mode may include a targeted reaction responsecapability where the user can respond (provide their own laterreactions) to the primary content, prior reactions, and any laterreactions; the prior reactions and/or later reactions originating fromdesignated users.

A fourth IME experience mode may include a full reaction responsecapability where the user can respond (provide their own laterreactions) to the primary content, prior reactions, and any laterreactions; the prior reactions and/or later reactions originating fromany user.

A fifth IME experience mode may include a content source reactionresponse capability where the user can respond (provide their own laterreactions) to the primary content, prior reactions, and any laterreactions; the prior reactions and/or later reactions originating fromany user, while also providing additional content with their laterreaction.

When later reactions are in response to reactions by designated users,such designated users may be identified by any entity, such as a contentsource, the synch server, the user device, or otherwise. User data 204Amay be used in identifying content sources, types of content, users, andotherwise with respect to which a given user may provide laterreactions.

The IME engine 202E may verify later reactions occur in response to agiven matter or collection of matters. For an implementation, timestamps associated with later reactions may be utilized to verify thereaction corresponds to a time stamp associated with a Party, a mediaevent, and/or a prior reaction. The IME engine 202E may utilize IME data204F, user data 204A, chat data 204D, and/or other data, such asposition data associated with a given user, to verify a given laterreaction corresponds to a presentation of a given primary content and/ora prior reaction.

Although various implementations have been described above with acertain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual implementations, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed implementations without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure. The use of the terms“approximately” or “substantially” means that a value of an element hasa parameter that is expected to be close to a stated value or position.As is well known in the art, there may be minor variations that preventthe values from being exactly as stated. Accordingly, anticipatedvariances, such as 10% differences, are reasonable variances that aperson having ordinary skill in the art would expect and know areacceptable relative to a stated or ideal goal for one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. It is also to be appreciated thatthe terms “top” and “bottom”, “left” and “right”, “up” or “down”,“first”, “second”, “next”, “last”, “before”, “after”, and other similarterms are used for description and ease of reference purposes and arenot intended to be limiting to any orientation or configuration of anyelements or sequences of operations for the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Further, the terms “coupled”, “connected” orotherwise are not intended to limit such interactions and communicationof signals between two or more devices, systems, components or otherwiseto direct interactions; indirect couplings and connections may alsooccur. Further, the terms “and” and “or” are not intended to be used ina limiting or expansive nature and cover any possible range ofcombinations of elements and operations of an implementation of thepresent disclosure. Other implementations are therefore contemplated. Itis intended that matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative ofembodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be madewithout departing from the basic elements of the present disclosure asdefined in the following claims.

1. An Interactive Media Event (IME) system comprising: a sync server; afirst user device; and a second user device; wherein the first userdevice and second user device are communicatively coupled to the syncserver by a content link; wherein the sync server executes computerinstructions instantiating a content segment engine which: outputs, viathe content link, a Party matter to a second user device; wherein theoutput, by the sync server, of the Party matter to the second userdevice is delayed, by the sync server, based on a delay parameter;wherein the Party matter includes a combined and synchronizedpresentation of a primary content with a secondary content; and whereinthe sync server executes computer instructions instantiating an IMEengine which: receives, from the second user device, a later reaction tothe Party matter; and synchronizes the later reaction to the Partymatter.
 2. The IME system of claim 1, wherein the IME enginesynchronizes the later reaction with the Party matter by adjusting atiming associated with the later reaction to correspond to anothertiming associated with another reaction to the Party matter; and whereinthe delay parameter is determined, by the sync server, based on syncserver determined latency for the content link.
 3. The IME system ofclaim 1, wherein the Party matter includes a media event and a priorreaction to the media event received from the first user device; andwherein the delay parameter is determined, by the sync server, based ona second user device delay.
 4. The IME system of claim 3, wherein themedia event includes a primary content segment; and wherein the mediaevent includes synchronization information associated with the primarycontent segment.
 5. The IME system of claim 4, wherein the priorreaction is synchronized to the primary content segment using thesynchronization information.
 6. The IME system of claim 5, wherein thelater reaction is synchronized to the primary content segment using thesynchronization information.
 7. The IME system of claim 5, wherein thelater reaction is synchronized to the prior reaction.
 8. The IME systemof claim 7, wherein the prior reaction includes chat data captured,during a Party, by the first user device; and wherein the chat dataincludes at least one of a facial response and an audible response, by afirst user of the first user device, to a primary content presentedduring the Party.
 9. The IME system of claim 8, wherein the laterreaction includes second chat data captured by the second user device;and wherein the chat data includes at least one of a facial response andan audible response to at least one of the primary content and the priorreaction.
 10. The IME system of claim 1, wherein the Party matter isassociated with a consolidated watch party; and wherein the delayparameter is determined, by the sync server, based on a second userdevice delay for a test content segment.
 11. The IME system of claim 10,wherein the Party matter includes a prior reaction to a segment ofprimary content presented during the consolidated watch party; whereinthe sync server executes computer instructions instantiating aconsolidation engine which: consolidates the segment of primary contentwith the prior reaction.
 12. The IME system of claim 1, wherein theParty matter includes a primary content segment and a prior reaction tothe primary content segment; and wherein the IME engine generates an IMEby synchronizing the later reaction with at least one of the primarycontent segment and the prior reaction to the primary content segment;and wherein the delay parameter is determined, by the sync server, basedon at least one of a type of connection, a maximum available bandwidth,a throughput, and a latency for the content link.
 13. The IME system ofclaim 1, wherein the Party matter includes a plurality of primarycontent segments; wherein the sync server executes computer instructionsinstantiating a consolidation engine which: selects a given primarycontent segment, from the plurality of primary content segments, basedupon a first tag associated with the given primary content segment;selects a prior reaction to a selected given primary content segment;and generates the Party matter based on a selected prior reaction. 14.The IME system of claim 13, wherein the prior reaction is tagged withthe first tag.
 15. The IME system of claim 14, wherein the laterreaction is tagged with the first tag.
 16. The IME system of claim 15,wherein the first tag corresponds to a matter designation and to acriteria.
 17. The IME system of claim 16, wherein the matter designationcorresponds to a criteria comprising at least one of: most popular,funniest, most viewed, highest rated, best of, scariest, informative,fact verified, and source verified.
 18. The IME system of claim 13,wherein the IME engine generates an IME by synchronizing the laterreaction with the selected given primary content segment and theselected prior reaction.
 19. The IME system of claim 1, wherein the syncserver executes computer instructions further instantiating aconsolidation engine to: select the Party matter from a collection ofParty matters for use in generating an IME.
 20. The IME system of claim19, wherein the Party matter includes a media event and a prior reactionto the media event received from the first user device; wherein themedia event includes a primary content segment provided by a contentsource; wherein selection of the Party matter occurs based upon at leastone of a first tag associated with the primary content segment and asecond tag associated with the prior reaction; wherein the first tag isprovided by the content source; and wherein the sync server executescomputer instructions instantiating a consolidation engine associate thesecond tag with the prior reaction based upon information associatedwith the prior reaction.